After working our way up through engine sizes (Honda 250 K4, Suzuki GT380,

Suzuki GT500, Suzuki GT750, BSA 650 A10 Gold Flash, Honda Goldwing (ugh -

big mistake) we finally bought our dream bike in 1986 for ?1,500.  It took

us around England and to France.  For touring in France in 1987 we purchased

a full fairing but whilst in France one morning the bike refused to start.

We managed to jump it! but it the engine died later on that day.  In the

middle of nowhere we fell upon a motorcycle garage which had parts for a

Z1300! 

 

 It was repaired - it was the alternator which had burnt out, looking

back it was probably the fairing's fault with tape recorder, radio etc and a

bundle of wiring was just too much on the bike's system.  After that the

bike gave us years of trouble free motoring.  Our son, now 10, used to sit

on the bike as a toddler but scream as soon as the engine was started.  We

spent a year (1996)having the bike custom sprayed, various parts powder

coated, recovered seat etc and it looks marvellous (no photo because ....)

in 1997 the cam chain went.  New parts were ordered but, despite the fact

that I am a mechanic I could not find anyone willing to skim the head.

A change of job meant less time and the bike remained untouched for years.

As my son grew he became interested in bikes and pestered me to mend the

Z1300.  I have now obtained a new head and hopefully will get the bike back

on the road for next summer.  I am changing the cam chain tensioner for a

ZZR1100 at several people's suggestion. The fight will then be who is the

pillion - my wife or my son.